Product Description

The Gauls have only one fear: that the sky may fall on their heads tomorrow. But tomorrow never comes, says Chief Vitalstatistix. Or does it? It looks as if it's come at last for Asterix, Obelix and the other villagers. And some surprising new characters fall along with the sky. Our friends soon find themselves in the middle of a space race... This new Asterix story, the first in four years, is a brilliant and hilarious tale of misunderstandings that will be loved by his millions of fans around the world.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #176592 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-14
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 48 pages

Review
'...combines its trademark graphics with a brand of comic-book art more readily associated with Alex Raymond's Flash Gordon series. Its format and jokes remain comfortingly familiar, and the later are still not afraid to keep one eye on contemporary concerns' (Toby Lichtig TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT )

'Asterix and the Falling Sky has done what few series manage to do - it has moved into the future while maintaining all the historical elements which make it so popular with fans around the world. Here's hoping for another album before too long, by Toutatis!' (WESTERN MAIL CARDIFF )

'new readers and particularly children will enjoy the wonderful illustration, characters, and, most importantly, the humour of the latest book' (FRENCH MAGAZINE )

About the Author
Rene Goscinny was born in Paris in 1926, and spent most of his childhood in Argentina, before eventually moving to Paris in 1951. He died in 1977. Albert Uderzo was born in 1927 in a small village in Marne, France. He met Rene Goscinny in 1951 and on 29 October 1959 their most famous creation, Asterix, made his first appearance on page 20 of Pilote. Asterix the Gaul, their first album, was published in 1961 and there have now been 33 Asterix albums. Albert Uderzo was born in 1927 in a small village in Marne, France. He met Rene Goscinny in 1951 and on 29 October 1959 their most famous creation, Asterix, made his first appearance on page 20 of Pilote. Asterix the Gaul, their first album, was published in 1961 and there have now been 34 Asterix albums.

Customer Reviews

Asterix and the Falling Sky
Few Asterix fans would would not want to give Albert Uderzo credit for keeping the much loved series running single-handedley since the untimely death of partner Rene Goscinny. Every four years, without fail Asterix fans have a new album to enjoy and though the scripts have never quite managed to equal Goscinny's talents, Uderzo has done a more than capable job on that front, notably 'Asterix and Son' and the more recent 'All At Sea' being just as good as Any Asterix classic.

Which is why it hurts to admit the great man just may have finally run out of ideas. Asterix and the Falling Sky is quite simply the worst Asterix album ever. Aside from having the most improbable (and fairly ludicrous) plot, there is not one outstanding moment in the entire book.

An encounter between Extra-terrestrial good guys and bad guys reigns overhead whilst Asterix and company mostly observe and occasionally get involved. Had the adventure actually taken place in outer space it may well have been improved but you get the impression Uderzo just didn't have the energy to create an entire new world, and just settled for these non-spectacular Aliens (including a host of Arnold Schwarzenegger clones) slugging it out over the village we all know and love so well.

Without wishing to give away any of the plot (no danger of that when there isn't one) this is little more than a few half-baked ideas strewn together. The good guy Alien (named 'Toon') ultmiately rewards the villagers for their half-hearted assistance by erasing their memories so that they would have no recollection of this entire adventure. If only he could have done the same for me.

By Toutatis!
Dear Me, Dear Me, Dear Me. What can one say? Possibly one of the worst of the lot. It starts off with an interesting enough premise but then gets sucked into a dreary story about fighting aliens. The Romans are pretty much sidelined, the pirates get two (count em!) frames and the crowning 'Oh My God' a tribute to Walt Disney on the last page.

One strictly for fans and, given the time it takes to produce a book, if this is the last of the stories then more a Gaulish Famine than a Gaulish Feast

This Asterix album will appeal mostly to children.
This certainly is an odd entry in the Asterix saga. Perhaps Uderzo is running out of ideas, since he needed to introduce aliens. The story is only mildly interesting although it has its moments, but at no point does it reach the same level as the old adventures. The art is great as always though.

I wish I could give it 2,5 stars, but since that's not possible I give it two stars. While most of the Asterix adventures deserve 5 stars and are always great fun for both kids and adults, this one probably appeals more to kids. They're usually great adventures full of humour. This one is neither. I still don't think it's as awful as most reviewers seems to think. It's good enough to kill some time with, but that's all. Asterix fans might want to check it out but don't have too high expectations. If Albert Udernzo would happen to read this, please, put some heart into the story next time, and if you can't come up with a better story than this, please hire a writer.